Excavator bucket with vibrating teeth

ABSTRACT

A bucket can be configured to be used with excavating equipment. The bucket can include a bucket body. The bucket body can have a cutting edge with an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge. A cutting tooth can be provided adjacent an end of the actuator, wherein the cutting tooth can be moveable by the actuator relative to the bucket body. The bucket body can include a void or hollow compartment in which motors, controllers, and other equipment can be housed that are configured to facilitate the selective movement of the cutting tooth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/291,006, filed on Dec. 17, 2021. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to buckets for excavation machinery, and more particularly to a toothed bucket for excavation machinery.

INTRODUCTION

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Ripper attachments that couple to excavation machinery, such as a backhoe, a front-end loader, an excavator, and the like have been used for supplementing and complementing the digging action of a bucket coupled to the end of a tractor linkage, or boom, of the excavation machine. In particular, ripper attachments, which are typically welded or bolted to the bucket, facilitate the breaking up of materials generally resistant to removal. This is advantageous because the loosened material is more readily picked up by the bucket by concentrating the bucket force over smaller contact points, thus enabling increased bucket loads and enhancing the efficiency of the excavation equipment.

Some ripper attachments are pivotally secured to the backside of a bucket in a position such that the ripper tip pivots about a horizontal axis to an operative position when the bucket is tucked or folded upwardly. A problem with the pivotal ripper attachment is that a load is transmitted through the ripper attachment to its pivotal axis on the bucket, and to a blunt end formed on the top side of the ripper attachment at a location where the top of the attachment contacts the bucket. The hard metal of the ripper attachment at this location can wear into and damage the bucket, or otherwise compromise the functionality of the bucket or other components of the excavation machine.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an improved, toothed bucket for excavation machinery.

SUMMARY

In concordance with the present disclosure, an improved, toothed bucket for excavation machinery, has surprisingly been discovered.

The present technology includes articles of manufacture, systems, and processes that relate to buckets for excavation machinery, and more particularly to a toothed bucket for excavation machinery. A bucket can be configured to be used with excavating equipment in various configurations. The bucket can include a bucket body. The bucket body can have a cutting edge. The cutting edge can include a plurality of cutting teeth. Each one of the cutting teeth can be independently moveable relative to the bucket body.

Advantageously, the bucket of the present disclosure can be configured to more efficiently dig through difficult to excavate material, for example, when dredging below a water surface or performing earth moving of any kind on land. The modification to the bucket can break up material such as road material and other dense materials, as non-limiting examples. The concept can be applied in marine and land construction projects. The bucket can also eliminate the need for multiple pieces of equipment by combining features of certain other excavating equipment.

In one embodiment, a bucket for excavating a material comprises a bucket body having a cutting edge, an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body, and a cutting tooth coupled to the actuator. The cutting tooth is configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate an excavation of the material with the bucket.

In another embodiment, a bucket for breaking and moving a material comprises a bucket body having a cutting edge, a hollow compartment formed in the bucket body, and an access panel configured to removably cover the hollow compartment. An actuator is disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body and a cutting tooth is coupled to the actuator. The cutting tooth is configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate a breaking and moving of the material with the bucket. A connector is disposed in the hollow compartment of the bucket body. The connector has one end in communication with the actuator and a second end configured to be in communication with an energy source, the energy source utilized to selectively energize the actuator and cause a movement of the cutting tooth.

In yet another embodiment, a method of excavating a material with a bucket comprises the steps of providing a bucket including a bucket body having a cutting edge, an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body, and a cutting tooth disposed adjacent an end of the actuator. The cutting tooth is configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate an excavation of the material with the bucket. The method further comprises performing one of causing a movement of the cutting tooth relative to the bucket body, breaking the material being excavated utilizing the movement of the cutting tooth, ceasing the movement of the cutting tooth relative to the bucket body, scooping up the material broken by the cutting tooth into the bucket body, and transporting the material broken by the cutting tooth in the bucket body.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bucket for excavation equipment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the bucket shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional, side elevational view of the bucket taken at section line 3-3 in FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show a series of partial top plan views of the bucket of FIG. 1 , depicting movement patterns for cutting teeth of the bucket body;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a bucket control system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the interaction between a controller, an energy source, an actuator, and a cutting tooth; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a bucket for excavation equipment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture, and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as can be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed.

The terms “a” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items can be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. The term “about” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that can arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments can alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there can be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, can be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms can be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present technology improves buckets for excavation machinery, and more particularly, relates to a toothed bucket for excavation machinery.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4 , an example bucket 100 for excavating equipment is shown. As a non-limiting example, the bucket 100 can be configured to be used with an excavator. For example, the bucket 100 can be disposed on a boom assembly of the excavator. It should be appreciated that the bucket 100 of the present disclosure can be configured to be used with any suitable excavating equipment. Additionally, the bucket 100 can be configured to be used in both land based and aquatic applications.

The bucket 100 can include a bucket body 102 having a cutting edge 104. In operation, the cutting edge 104 can be configured to contact the ground and to guide any debris or excavated material into the bucket body 102. The bucket body 102 can then be used to transport or move the debris and/or the excavated material to a desired secondary location.

The cutting edge 104 can include one or more cutting teeth 106 disposed along a length thereof. The cutting teeth 106 can be configured to vibrate or otherwise be movable relative to the bucket body 102. Advantageously, the vibration or movement of the cutting teeth 106 can allow for increased efficiency when digging or excavating with the bucket 100 by facilitating a breaking up of compact debris and material and then scooping-up the broken debris and material with the bucket body 102.

In one embodiment, an actuator 108 is disposed on or within the bucket body 102 adjacent to the cutting edge 104. One or more of the cutting teeth can be coupled to the actuator 108, wherein the actuator 108 is configured to cause the movement of the cutting teeth 106 coupled to the actuator 108. For example, the actuator 108 can control a repeated cycle of outward and inward movements of the cutting teeth 106, where one cycle of outward and inward motion is a stroke. As a non-limiting example, the actuator 108 can be configured to provide, individually or in combination, a lateral, longitudinal, rotational, vibrational, or other movement to the one or more cutting teeth 106 attached thereto. Furthermore, a plurality of the actuators 108 can be provided adjacent the cutting edge 104 of the bucket body 102. Each of the actuators 108 can have one or more cutting teeth 106 coupled thereto and each of the actuators 108 can be configured to provide independent movement of the cutting teeth 106 coupled thereto as compared to the cutting teeth 106 coupled to the other actuators 108. It should be understood that the cutting teeth 106 can be removable from the actuator 108 to facilitate a replacement of the cutting teeth 106 and/or a utilization of cutting teeth 106 of different shapes and sizes, allowing the cutting teeth 106 to be specially configured for specific materials or excavation projects.

It should be appreciated that since each of the cutting teeth 106 is configured to be moved independently, the cutting teeth 106 can be moved in various predetermined patterns. For example, one pattern can include all of the cutting teeth 106 moving in unison such that each of the cutting teeth 106 strokes at the same time. Another pattern can include alternating the strokes of adjacent cutting teeth 106 such that when a first set of the cutting teeth 106 are on an upstroke, a second set of the cutting teeth 106 can be on a downstroke. A further pattern can include only moving a portion of the cutting teeth 106 at a specific location along the length of the bucket body 102.

In certain embodiments, the frequency of the strokes of each of the cutting teeth 106 can be adjusted, as desired. In other embodiments, each of the cutting teeth 106 can have a different frequency based on project need. It should be appreciated that any suitable frequency of strokes can be utilized by a skilled artisan, as desired.

As a non-limiting example, the actuator 108 can be a hydraulic actuator. However, other suitable types of actuators, including electric and pneumatic actuators, are also contemplated and considered within the scope of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3 , an energy source 120 is provided and is in communication with the actuator 108 through one or more energy conduits 116. An energy is communicated from the energy source 120, through the energy conduit 116, to the actuator 108. The energy is utilized to selectively energize the actuator 108 and cause the actuator 108 to move the one or more of the cutting teeth 106 coupled to the end of the actuator 108. It should be understood that the energy provided by the energy source 120 is an energy that is effective with respect to the selected type of actuator 108. For example, a pressurized hydraulic fluid, a pressurized air, and an electrical energy would be provided for a respective hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical actuator.

A controller 122 can be provided and used by an operator of the bucket 100 to selectively control the actuator 108 and thereby control the movement of the cutting teeth 106. As a non-limiting example shown in FIG. 5 , the controller 122 can be in communication with the actuator 108 and/or the energy source 120 to control the movement of the cutting teeth 106. It should be understood that the controller 122 can be configured to provide defined movements of the cutting teeth 106, such as the various predetermined patterns, stroke lengths, and the frequency of the strokes as described herein above, as well as provide for manual control of one or more of the cutting teeth 106.

With particular reference to FIG. 3 , the bucket body 102 can have a hollow compartment 110 formed therein. Certain control components for the cutting teeth 106, including the actuator 108, can be located and/or stored within the hollow compartment 110 or be accessible through the hollow compartment 110. The control components within the hollow compartment 110 can be in communication with the controller 122 and/or the energy source 120. A connector 112 can be provided in the hollow compartment 110 having one end in communication with the actuator 108 and a second end in communication with the energy source 120. For example, where the actuator 108 is a hydraulic actuator, a hydraulic connector would be provided and a hydraulic line can run from the energy source 120, into the hollow compartment 110, and joined to the connector 112 to provide the energy to the hydraulic actuator to move the cutting teeth 106. Likewise, pneumatic lines and pneumatic connectors can be provided for pneumatic actuators and electrical lines and electrical connectors can be provided for electrical actuators.

The bucket body 102 can include an access panel 114 configured to be removably attached to the bucket body 102 for covering cover the hollow compartment 110. When attached to the bucket body 102, the access panel 114 can provide protection to any control components that may be contained within the hollow compartment 110 and the connector 112 within the hollow compartment 110. The access panel 114 can be removed to allow the operator to access the control components that may be stored within the hollow compartment 110 and to connect the source of energy to the actuator 108 and/or the other control components. In certain, embodiments the access panel 114 includes means 118 for the energy from the energy source 120 to pass through the access panel 114 and be available to be placed in communication with the actuator 108 and any other control components therein. The means 118 for passing the energy through the access panel 114 can include various types of apertures, such as a through hole, configured to permit a pneumatic hose, a hydraulic hose, or an electrical line to pass through the access panel. The means 118 for passing the energy through the access panel 114 can also be a coupler for attaching one of a pneumatic hose, a hydraulic hose, or an electrical line to an outer surface of the access panel 114 and a corresponding hose or line to an inner surface of the access panel. Other means 118 for passing the energy through the access panel 114 can also be provided to the access panel 114, as desired.

With reference to FIG. 4 , a method 200 of using the marine positioning system is shown. The method 200 having a step 202 of providing the bucket 100 and a step 204 of the operator causing the movement of the cutting teeth 106 via the controller 122. In particular, the operator can input the desired movement pattern and/or actuation frequency for the cutting teeth 106 through the controller 122. The controller 122 can then signal the actuators 108 and any other applicable control equipment in the hollow compartment 110 to energize the necessary actuators 108 resulting in the desired movement and/or actuation frequency of the cutting teeth 106. Once the cutting teeth 106 are engaged and moving, the operator can utilize the bucket 100 as needed for the particular project. More specifically, the movement of the cutting teeth 106 can be employed in a step 206 to break-up a material that is intended to be excavated and/or relocated. After breaking-up the material utilizing the movement of the cutting teeth 106, in a step 208 the operator of the bucket 100 can utilize the controller to cease the movement of the cutting teeth 106. In a step 210, the operator can utilize the bucket 100 to scoop-up the material and then in a step 210 utilize the bucket 100 to transport and/or relocate the material. It should be understood that the operator can stop the movement of the cutting teeth 106 while scooping up the material. The bucket 100 is configured to provide, in a single implement for excavating equipment, the capabilities of a jack-hammer (for breaking-up materials) and an excavation bucket (for scooping-up and transporting and/or relocating the material). Combining the jack-hammer function and the excavation bucket into a single implement, minimizes a need to perform the time consuming and the non-productive activity of changing between a traditional jack-hammer implement and a traditional bucket implement on excavating equipment.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bucket for excavating a material, comprising: a bucket body having a cutting edge; an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body; and a cutting tooth coupled to the actuator, the cutting tooth configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate an excavation of the material with the bucket.
 2. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the bucket body has a hollow compartment formed therein.
 3. The bucket of claim 2, further comprising a connector disposed in the hollow compartment of the bucket, the connector having one end in communication with the actuator and a second end configured to be in selective communication with an energy source, the energy source utilized to selectively energize the actuator and cause a movement of the cutting tooth.
 4. The bucket of claim 3, further comprising an access panel configured to cover the hollow compartment.
 5. The bucket of claim 4, wherein the access panel includes a means for the energy source to pass through the access panel and be in communication with the second end of the connector.
 6. The bucket of claim 1, including a controller configured to selectively control the actuator.
 7. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the cutting tooth is configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator by a movement selected from a group consisting of a lateral movement, a longitudinal movement, a vibrational movement, and a rotational movement.
 8. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.
 9. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator.
 10. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electrical actuator.
 11. The bucket of claim 1, wherein the cutting tooth is removable from the actuator to facilitate a replacement of the cutting tooth.
 12. A bucket for breaking and moving a material, comprising: a bucket body having a cutting edge, a hollow compartment formed in the bucket body, and an access panel configured to removably cover the hollow compartment; an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body; a cutting tooth coupled to the actuator, the cutting tooth configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate a breaking and moving of the material with the bucket; and a connector disposed in the hollow compartment of the bucket body, the connector having one end in communication with the actuator and a second end configured to be in communication with an energy source, the energy source utilized to selectively energize the actuator and cause a movement of the cutting tooth.
 13. The bucket of claim 12, wherein the access panel includes a means for the energy source to pass through the access panel and be in communication with the second end of the connector.
 14. The bucket of claim 12, including a controller in communication with at least one of the energy source and the actuator, the controller configured to selectively control energizing the actuator.
 15. The bucket of claim 12, wherein the cutting tooth is configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator by a movement selected from a group consisting of a lateral movement, a longitudinal movement, a vibrational movement, and a rotational movement.
 16. The bucket of claim 12, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.
 17. The bucket of claim 12, wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator.
 18. The bucket of claim 12, wherein the actuator is an electrical actuator.
 19. The bucket of claim 12, wherein the cutting tooth is removable from the actuator to facilitate a replacement of the cutting tooth.
 20. A method of excavating a material with a bucket, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bucket including: a bucket body having a cutting edge; an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge of the bucket body; and a cutting tooth disposed adjacent an end of the actuator, the cutting tooth configured to be selectively moveable by the actuator with respect to the bucket body to facilitate an excavation of the material with the bucket; and performing one of: causing a movement of the cutting tooth relative to the bucket body; breaking the material being excavated utilizing the movement of the cutting tooth; ceasing the movement of the cutting tooth relative to the bucket body; scooping up the material broken by the cutting tooth into the bucket body; and transporting the material broken by the cutting tooth in the bucket body. 